Saying Goodbye

Saying Goodbye

For our last couple of days in Sao Paulo, we decided to head to Iguacu (or Iguazu) which is one of the natural seven wonders located near the Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay border. It took 18 hours by bus to get there, but we roughed it out like we have grown to enjoy. The waterfalls, specifically Devil's Throat, which lines the border of Argentina and Brazil was stunning. This waterfall is twice the size of Niagara Falls. We viewed it from both the Argentinian side as well as the Brazilian side, and both were spectacular. While on the Argentina side, Christinia came up with this great idea to go on a boat tour down the Iguacu River. When we were walking up to the tour, all the people were wearing ponchos and heavy protective rain gear. Sophiana, Christinia, and I were just like "nah... it'll be ok. let's rough it out. if we get wet, we get wet". G, on the other hand, bought a poncho as she refused to get drenched *lame*. Ultimately, the water was FREEEZING, we got beyond soaked. I drank most of the river when I got blindsided by the biggest rapid wave imaginable. G, Christinia, and Sophiana still don't let me forget it. 

While we were in Iguacu, we also visited the Parque das Aves, which is a bird sanctuary located close to the waterfalls. It was very beautiful, and filled with numerous birds of every shape, size, and color. G tried to talk to of the birds, but it didn't work out very well. In addition, we met another MHIRT student from a Californian MHIRT program who was living in Buenos Aires for two months. It was really amazing to talk to him and see how his experience was going. After that we visited the Marco Das Tres Fronteiras, which is a gorgeous spot to view the Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay borders. It was crazy to think about how we've come so far in such a little span of time. 

The day after we got back from our second 18 hour bus ride from Iguacu to Sao Paulo, we had our 'last supper' with our mentors in the lab at the University of Sao Paulo. Almost all the lab was there, and we ate some fabulous foods. After that, we talked. A lot about our travels in Brazil, but also about our futures. To top it all off, we watched YouTube videos of some of the labs favorite artists. For Leo, this included a heavy metal rock band dressed in dinosaur costumes which primary audience was children. I don't know either, but this sums up Leo. 

Saying goodbye was the hardest. After we had built such great friendships after just two months, it was unfathomable to imagine we weren't gonna be there anymore. I would miss Andre's sarcasm and hugs, lunch dates with Maju and Ju, Luiz's incredible wardrobe of Marvel attire, Einat's scolding Leo for playing his music too loud, Diego's 'magic tricks', and Prof. Dora's loving remarks and stories. But, most of all, I would miss Leo. His 'cafe? cafe?' in the morning, his need to change the room's decor around three times, and his need to say 'You look pretty' everyday without fail. But, just like that, the next morning we awoke at 5AM to leave for our flights back to the United States..

In some weird way, I think the world wanted us to stay in Brazil and not go back to our old lives (knowing good and well Julia and Daryl would be beyond furious), because we all ended up missing our flights home due to 'bad weather'. I've never sprinted so fast through an airport so fast with two 50 lb bags. Sophiana, G, and I had to spend the night in Miami while Christinia had to spend the night in North Carolina.

Since our little time being back, we all noticed it was strange. It was weird to see everyone on both sides going up the escalator. The left side is clearly for people walking faster or you will get trampled. It was weird not throwing toilet paper into a bin in the bathroom. Never! throw toilet paper in the toilet or it might clog the entire system. The fork goes in the right hand, and you cut with the knife in the left hand. It is beyond inconvenient to just use the fork in one hand then have to pick up the knife when you can just use both hands. 

Nevertheless, I won't forget my time in Brazil, the memories that were made, or the friendships that have just begun. I am beyond thankful to the MHIRT program for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime.. and I am thankful to everyone who joined my journey along the way.